Antique 1894 Wm WORDLEY English Marine Ship Chronometer Running Strong
Item History & Price
Up for sale is a fine antique English Marine Ship Chronometer, made by William Wordley in 1894. The chronometer clock is in excellent working condition. The chronometer is in exceptionally good cosmetic condition, worthy of display in any finely decorated home, or as a distinguished addition to any collection of nautical antique instruments.
This auction also includes the 3-tier Mahogany and Brass Chronometer Box, and the one-way ratcheting Chronometer Winding Key.
This is a... two day marine chronometer with a 4 inch silvered dial signed William Wordley, 129, Cannon Street, London. The clock dial and the wooden box are signed with serial number "2/129".
The clock features the original high quality Thomas Mercer movement with serial number 5551, which dates the clock to the year 1894. Thomas Mercer was the world's most prolific maker of chronometer base frames and movements in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Mercer firm made over 30, 000 base chronometer frames and movements that were provided to a multitude of well known chronometer "makers" over the years. Firms such as William Wordley and others then added their own finishing parts, springs, embellishments, finishing and regulation to the base movements.
From the 1870s through the 1910s William Wordley produced marine chronometers as well as large distinctive wall clocks and quality pocket watches. Some of the aforementioned William Wordley wall clocks are quite collectible and have also appeared on ebay from time to time.
The chronometer clock is currently keeping very good time The clock runs strong and continuously for approximately 50 hours after a full wind-up. Although these ship chronometers are capable of running for over 2 days after a full wind-up, they were always wound-up every day to maintain maximum timing accuracy, which resulted in maximum navigational accuracy while at sea.
The silvered chronometer dial is in excellent condition, although there are a few tiny spots of patina (age spots) on the dial. See close up photos showing dial.
The Hour and Minute hands are gold plated, while the seconds hand is made of blued steel. All clock hands are straight and are properly fitted and correctly aligned.
The beveled clock glass is clear and in very good condition, and has no scuffs nor any apparent scratches, nor any chips on the beveled edges.
The movement is complete and appears to be very clean, although there are some light scratches and localized patches of tarnish on some of the plates.
The Brass Chronometer Case Tub appears to have been well-cared-for, and is in excellent condition with minimal scratches and wear. (see photos)
The gravity-leveled brass Gimbal Ring suspension, the associated brass ring-lock assembly, the the mounting screws and washers are all present and are all in mint condition. The gravity leveling ring functions properly and maintains the clock in a horizontally leveled orientation as intended.
The later issue 3-tier mahogany wood chronometer housing box is in exquisite condition. The glass viewing plate is clear, and free of any cracks or chips. The latches and hinges are in good condition, and are all working properly. See photos.
The mahogany box also includes the box-locking key. The key and the locking latch mechanism are in excellent working condition.
The chronometer's UP - DOWN power reserve indicator hand and its driving mechanism are working properly.
The "Up - Down" indicator dial was used as follows: When in service on a ship, these chronometers were always wound every day, and at the same time each day, to ensure maximum timekeeping accuracy. It is the first 24 hours of operation after a full winding of the clock that isosynchronism (stable timekeeping rate) is best achieved. After 24 hours there is sometimes a slight drop-off in accuracy as the mainspring winds down from 24 to 48 hours. The Up - Down indicator was used as a visual verification that the chronometer had indeed been wound-up again for that day, and consistently for every day. If the hand passes the 24 hour mark, then it is time to wind up the chronometer again (even though it would continue running with lesser but still acceptable levels of accuracy).
The one-way ratchet winding key works properly. The special built-in ratchet prevents the clock winding post from being rotated in the wrong direction, and thus preventing damage to the clock.
Although the clock is currently functioning well and keeping good time, I cannot guarantee continued future operation or timing performance.
The chronometer will be "corked" (i.e. the balance wheel immobilized for protection), and will be expertly packed, double-boxed, and insured for safe delivery. I've shipped more than 25 of these chronometers with 100% of them arriving safely-protected and in undamaged condition.
Please ask before bidding if you have any questions.
Payment and ShippingShipping is $65 to addresses in the U.S.A.The cost of shipping includes tracking and insurance for the full value of the item.The shipping weight for this item is approximately 16 pounds. The balance wheel will be "corked", and the clock will be securely shipped in a well-cushioned, oversize box, and shipped via FedEx Home delivery.
This item only ships to addresses in the United States.
Sorry, No International Shipping for this item. Due to the delicate nature of this antique, this item only ships to addresses in the United States.
Insurance and Tracking are included in the stated shipping price.No returns on this item unless it differs materially from the item description or photos.
Payment is through PayPal only. Payment is expected within 3 days of auction close unless prior arrangements have been made.
Note that some states may require payment of sales tax with the purchase of this item.
Thank you for looking!
This auction also includes the 3-tier Mahogany and Brass Chronometer Box, and the one-way ratcheting Chronometer Winding Key.
This is a... two day marine chronometer with a 4 inch silvered dial signed William Wordley, 129, Cannon Street, London. The clock dial and the wooden box are signed with serial number "2/129".
The clock features the original high quality Thomas Mercer movement with serial number 5551, which dates the clock to the year 1894. Thomas Mercer was the world's most prolific maker of chronometer base frames and movements in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Mercer firm made over 30, 000 base chronometer frames and movements that were provided to a multitude of well known chronometer "makers" over the years. Firms such as William Wordley and others then added their own finishing parts, springs, embellishments, finishing and regulation to the base movements.
From the 1870s through the 1910s William Wordley produced marine chronometers as well as large distinctive wall clocks and quality pocket watches. Some of the aforementioned William Wordley wall clocks are quite collectible and have also appeared on ebay from time to time.
The chronometer clock is currently keeping very good time The clock runs strong and continuously for approximately 50 hours after a full wind-up. Although these ship chronometers are capable of running for over 2 days after a full wind-up, they were always wound-up every day to maintain maximum timing accuracy, which resulted in maximum navigational accuracy while at sea.
The silvered chronometer dial is in excellent condition, although there are a few tiny spots of patina (age spots) on the dial. See close up photos showing dial.
The Hour and Minute hands are gold plated, while the seconds hand is made of blued steel. All clock hands are straight and are properly fitted and correctly aligned.
The beveled clock glass is clear and in very good condition, and has no scuffs nor any apparent scratches, nor any chips on the beveled edges.
The movement is complete and appears to be very clean, although there are some light scratches and localized patches of tarnish on some of the plates.
The Brass Chronometer Case Tub appears to have been well-cared-for, and is in excellent condition with minimal scratches and wear. (see photos)
The gravity-leveled brass Gimbal Ring suspension, the associated brass ring-lock assembly, the the mounting screws and washers are all present and are all in mint condition. The gravity leveling ring functions properly and maintains the clock in a horizontally leveled orientation as intended.
The later issue 3-tier mahogany wood chronometer housing box is in exquisite condition. The glass viewing plate is clear, and free of any cracks or chips. The latches and hinges are in good condition, and are all working properly. See photos.
The mahogany box also includes the box-locking key. The key and the locking latch mechanism are in excellent working condition.
The chronometer's UP - DOWN power reserve indicator hand and its driving mechanism are working properly.
The "Up - Down" indicator dial was used as follows: When in service on a ship, these chronometers were always wound every day, and at the same time each day, to ensure maximum timekeeping accuracy. It is the first 24 hours of operation after a full winding of the clock that isosynchronism (stable timekeeping rate) is best achieved. After 24 hours there is sometimes a slight drop-off in accuracy as the mainspring winds down from 24 to 48 hours. The Up - Down indicator was used as a visual verification that the chronometer had indeed been wound-up again for that day, and consistently for every day. If the hand passes the 24 hour mark, then it is time to wind up the chronometer again (even though it would continue running with lesser but still acceptable levels of accuracy).
The one-way ratchet winding key works properly. The special built-in ratchet prevents the clock winding post from being rotated in the wrong direction, and thus preventing damage to the clock.
Although the clock is currently functioning well and keeping good time, I cannot guarantee continued future operation or timing performance.
The chronometer will be "corked" (i.e. the balance wheel immobilized for protection), and will be expertly packed, double-boxed, and insured for safe delivery. I've shipped more than 25 of these chronometers with 100% of them arriving safely-protected and in undamaged condition.
Please ask before bidding if you have any questions.
Payment and ShippingShipping is $65 to addresses in the U.S.A.The cost of shipping includes tracking and insurance for the full value of the item.The shipping weight for this item is approximately 16 pounds. The balance wheel will be "corked", and the clock will be securely shipped in a well-cushioned, oversize box, and shipped via FedEx Home delivery.
This item only ships to addresses in the United States.
Sorry, No International Shipping for this item. Due to the delicate nature of this antique, this item only ships to addresses in the United States.
Insurance and Tracking are included in the stated shipping price.No returns on this item unless it differs materially from the item description or photos.
Payment is through PayPal only. Payment is expected within 3 days of auction close unless prior arrangements have been made.
Note that some states may require payment of sales tax with the purchase of this item.
Thank you for looking!
